Newcomer / Intro How to use the FSS

Cmdr Green Skin · Sep 13, 2019

I'm a VR player using a HOTAS as my primary control, I do have a xbox controller that I can use, although I'm trying not to.

I've jumped into an undiscovered system and I'm trying to scan all the planets, flying "close" to them automatically scans them, however I've seen Youtube videos of people using FSS to scan the entire system from a single position.

I don't know how to switch it on? In the controls menu the key bindings look complicated and I'm not sure what it does or how it works. So don't know what makes sense to bind, I've left the default xbox bindings.

Factabulous · Sep 13, 2019

I'd look for a guide on YT. Fdev used to have one, but they took it down. And Para had one, then he took his down. But I'm sure there are others. Or google for control setups, there are many that work.

Cmdr Green Skin · Sep 13, 2019

Thanks, all the guides I've seen bypass the part on how to switch it on.

I'm sure I'll be able to figure out what it all does, but until I can switch it on I'm clueless.

Does anyone know which key binding enables it?

Factabulous · Sep 13, 2019

Check your control bindings. You can either assign a key combo or assign it into a fire group.

Keybind is ENTER FSS MODE under MODE SWITCHES, it's not the difficult one to find

Para Handy · Sep 13, 2019

Cmdr Green Skin said:
Thanks, all the guides I've seen bypass the part on how to switch it on.

I'm sure I'll be able to figure out what it all does, but until I can switch it on I'm clueless.

Does anyone know which key binding enables it?

Here are my assignments:

Mode Switches:

FSS Bindings:

DSS Bindings:

N.B. There is no "Enter DSS" control - the action of firing it (assign fire button in your right-side UI) opens the DSS screen.

(BTW - I deleted my guides due to the actions of certain people, sorry but that's me having a hissy-fit over being treated like a lump of smelly jobbie.)

Cmdr Green Skin · Sep 13, 2019

Factabulous said:
Check your control bindings. You can either assign a key combo or assign it into a fire group.

Keybind is ENTER FSS MODE under MODE SWITCHES, it's not the difficult one to find

Well, I'm new and posting in the new section, I didn't know it was a mode, I don't even know what modes are.

Factabulous · Sep 13, 2019

Cmdr Green Skin said:
Well, I'm new and posting in the new section, I didn't know it was a mode, I don't even know what modes are.

It was more a wry comment based on the fact it can be found that one by trawling through the bindings, where others like ENTER DSS are not there at all. The bindings also don't make it clear that you can bind ENTER FSS MODE and EXIT FSS MODE (which is elsewhere in the bindings) to the same key to make a toggle.

Para Handy · Sep 13, 2019

I just re-uploaded the original demonstration videos I made of the exploration tools if that is of any use:

Out in the black (undiscovered system):

Near the bubble (already discovered system):

DSS Mapping:

MaxG10 · Sep 14, 2019

Thanks Para, that was useful. I must check that later in the day, on xbox here, but I seem to have trouble with the energy tuning, I somehow can not make it stick to a position, it always creeps slowly further to the right or left. Hence getting a lot energy tuning failed, or adaptive zoom failed messages.

A C Ender · Sep 14, 2019

Thank you Para for the re-upload. I was struggling with how to use the DSS yesterday and I'm still very confused on how to get to a position where I can even use DSS.

I'm sorry to hear of your trouble with certain individuals. I hope things get better with them or you can find other ways so you don't get troubled.

Gully Foyle · Oct 18, 2019

Para Handy said:
Here are my assignments:

Mode Switches:

View attachment 142828

FSS Bindings:

View attachment 142829

DSS Bindings:

View attachment 142830

N.B. There is no "Enter DSS" control - the action of firing it (assign fire button in your right-side UI) opens the DSS screen.

(BTW - I deleted my guides due to the actions of certain people, sorry but that's me having a hissy-fit over being treated like a lump of smelly jobbie.)

I haven't heard that word since my Belfast grandpa passed away in 1980. Thanks for that. He spoke of the tootywadger as well.
I was young

Para Handy · Oct 18, 2019

MaxG10 said:
Thanks Para, that was useful. I must check that later in the day, on xbox here, but I seem to have trouble with the energy tuning, I somehow can not make it stick to a position, it always creeps slowly further to the right or left. Hence getting a lot energy tuning failed, or adaptive zoom failed messages.

It has only taken me 5 weeks to see that post - sorry.

I don't know how the X-box controller is bound into the FSS tuning. In my FSS controls image in the above post you can see I use an axis for "absolute tuning" (I also have keys set for left and right but I don't actually use them) - that means that whenever I move that axis to a certain position it always puts the tuning point in the FSS to the same place. I doubt the x-box controller can do that but if you have an axis available then you can use the "tuning" axis assignment that is blank in my picture. That means that the tuning point in the FSS moves to the left or right according to the axis movement but it isn't locked to a position - if you can use an axis then you can set a deadzone to stop any creep of the tuning from slight misalignment in the axis.

If you can't use an axis then you are limited to a digital switch (button or key press) to move tuning to left or to right and there should be no drift in the tuning unless there is electrical noise giving false inputs or maybe a conflicting assignment is interfering. As I said, I don't know the x-box system so am just making a stab in the dark, sorry. I hope you overcome the issue.